The United States of Earth Federation is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by ATLAS Artificial Intelligence with an even hand, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies, smutty television, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, humorless population of 7.1 billion Terrans enjoy some of the most opulent lifestyles in the region, unless they are unemployed or working-class, in which case they are variously starving to death or crippled by easily preventable diseases.

The minute, corrupt, pro-business government, or what there is of one, prioritizes Defense, with Industry also on the agenda, while Environment and Welfare aren't funded at all. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New York. Income tax is unheard of.

The frighteningly efficient Terran economy, worth a remarkable 3,240 trillion Credits a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Gambling, and Soda Sales. Average income is an amazing 456,432 Credits, but there is a vast disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 3,392,818 per year while the poor average 18,166, a ratio of 186 to 1.

Prison visits increase substantially during election years, prominent cultural symbols are featured on the backs of cereal boxes, the nation's Medal of Honour can be found as a free toy in breakfast cereal, and anti-government web sites are springing up. Crime, especially youth-related, is all-pervasive, probably because of the absence of a police force. Earth Federation's national animal is the Dragon, which is also the nation's favorite main course.